Afghanistan set to face Pakistan in maiden ODI

The war-torn country played against South Africa and India during the World Twenty20 in West Indies in 2010, but in one-dayers they faced only associate and affiliate teams Kenya, Ireland, Netherlands, UAE and Canada.

And the prospect of playing against Pakistan, Afghanistan team players are excited and have promised to put up their best showing.

Great opportunity for Afghanistan: Team manager

“It’s a great opportunity for Afghanistan players and they can’t wait for Friday,” Afghanistan team manager Shafiqullah Stanikzai said. “It’s a tough challenge for the team but we will show our qualities and fight to the last.”

“The Afghanistan team is an entertainment package and we will try to give the best possible fight to Pakistan, who are the form team after beating England 3-0 in Tests and doing well in one-day cricket recently,” said Stanikzai.

Afghanistan have played 18 one-dayers since earning status in 2009, from those they won 11 and lost seven matches. They are currently not present in International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings but are sitting on the ninth position in the integral Twenty20 rankings, launched last year.

In 2010, Afghanistan won World Twenty20 qualifiers, in reward to which they were permitted to play against high-profile teams in the WorldTwenty20 in West Indies. In the same year they also won the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

Cricket was made popular in Afghanistan by migrants who spent years living in Pakistan when Soviet troops invaded their country in 1979.

Pakistan will not take Afghanistan lightly: Mohsin

The cricketing relations of Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown-over earlier last year when in May Afghanistan became the first international team to tour Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in March 2009. During the tour they played three 50-over fixtures against Pakistan ‘A’ but lost 0-3.

A team from Afghanistan was also part of Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 tournament, staged in September last year year.

Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan said his side will not consider Afghanistan as pushovers.

“Afghanistan’s team is coming up very fast and we will take them very seriously,” said Mohsin. “This one-day against Afghanistan will give us an opportunity to switch to the one-day mode before the series against England.”

Skipper Brendon Taylor slammed a blazing ton to guide New Zealand an easy victory over Zimbabwe

Capitalizing of being dropped on 48, the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman plundered 119 off 88 balls with the help of seven boundaries and five sixes to power New Zealand 373-8 after they opted to bat.

The gargantuan target remained beyond tourists reach as they were skittled out for 171 in 44 overs.

Skipper Brendan Taylor (65) was the only batsman for Zimbabwe who showed some determination as five of their batsmen failed to advance into double-digits.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe: Taylor, Taibu added 67 runs

Taylor, whose levelheaded 62-ball knock was laced with six boundaries and two sixes, added up 67 runs alongside Tatenda Taibu (26) for the third wicket.

Both were captured by substitute fielder Colin de Grandhomme, leaving the tourists reeling at 115-5.

The wickets continued to tumble like nine pins as no other Zimbabwean batsman was able to surpass 26-mark.
Earlier, Blackcaps openers Martin Guptill (85) and Rob Nicol (61) set the stage for a substantial total with a brisk 154-run opening stand before felling to spinners with the gap of three balls.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe: Vitori became fourth most expensive ODI bowler

Guptill’s hit seven fours and five sixes in his blistering 69-ball knock while Nicol’s 63-ball knock saw six boundaries and two maximums.

Left-arm seamer Brian Vitori seeped out 105 off nine overs and now holds the fourth most awful figures in one-day history, behind Australian Mick Lewis’ 0-113 and a pair of Kiwis in Martin Snedden and Tim Southee who gave up 105 apiece.

New Zealand had win the opening match by 90 runs and the second by 141 runs.

Zimbabwe’s tour end after the two teams meet for two Twenty20 internationals, at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday and Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 14.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe 3rd ODI Scorecard

Ravichandran Ashwin's late cameo guides India to four wicket victory over Sri Lanka at WACA

Ashwin (30 not out) and Jadeja (24 not out) added up unbeaten 53 runs for seventh wicket after the simultaneous dismissals of Virat Kohli (77), MS Dhoni (4) and Suresh Raina (24) to guide India beyond the target with 19 balls to spare.

Ashwin’s 38-ball cameo was studded with three boundaries while Jadeja hit a four in his 28-ball knock.

India VS Sri Lanka: Kohli hit eight boundaries, one six

Kohli got run out off 36th over after slamming his first six off the previous ball. His 96-ball vigil was also featured eight boundaries.

Paceman Dhamika Prasad increased India’s batting woes by producing top-edge of Dhoni with a short-pitch delivery, which was shapely taken by Lasith Malinga at mid-on shortly after Angelo Mathews removed Suresh Raina.

Raina, lashing three boundaries in his 27-ball cameo, attempted to restore his side’s semblance in association with Kohli after India lost Rohit Sharma (10) cheaply.

Tendulkar-Kohli union recovered with 75-run second-wicket partnership after opener Virneder Sehwag (10), who replaced Gautam Gambhir fell to Malinga in third over.

Tendulkar, cracking five well-timed boundaries on his way, was looking on course towards his long-awaited 100th international hundred but Mathews uprooted his stumps to finish his journey for 48.

Earlier, forced to bowl, off-spinner Ashwin (3-32) and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan (2-44) produced fine bowling spells to squeeze their World Cup 2011 final rivals for 233-8.

India VS Sri Lanka: Chandimal scored 64

Dinesh Chandimal was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with sagacious 64, which he scored from 81 balls smashing four boundaries.

Zaheer gave India the early breakthrough by claiming opener Upul Tharanga (4), caught by Tendulkar at covers but Tillakaratne Dilshan (48) combined with Kumar Sangakkara (26) to steady Sri Lanka with 66-run second-wicket stand.

This was Zaheer again who broke the deadlock again by edging Sangakkara behind the stumps before Raviender Jadeja claimed Dilshan caught by Kohli. Dilshan hit six boundaries in his 79-ball knock.

The back-to-back dismissals forced Chandimal and skipper Mahela Jaywardene (23) to shoulder the revival and they fulfilled their duty well with 52 runs stand for the fourth wicket.

Ashwin resurrected India by dismissing Jayawardene, Thissara Perera (7) and Chandimal in quick-succession.

Angelo Mathews slammed an unbeaten 32 off 28 balls with the help of two boundaries.

Sri Lanka will face Australia in the third one-dayer of triangular series at the same venue on Friday.

Inida VS Sri Lanka Scorecard

Shane Watson will line up for Sutherland in a one-day game on Saturday

The 30-year-old pivotal all-rounder, who missed the entire Test summer with hamstring and then lasting calf strains, will line up for Sutherland in a one-day game with Easts on Saturday.

“He’s built his body up to where it needs to be and hopefully we can get sustainable performances out of Shane once he gets back in,” Arthur said. “He’s got to be happy his body can sustain batting and bowling. But as long as we are all happy and he fits the bill, I’m sure we’ll consider bringing him back in.”

Arthur uncertain to give timeframe of Watson’s return

However, Arthur was uncertain to put ultimate timeframe on when Watson is expected to return to the national setup.

“But I don’t think we can put a time frame on that. We’ve got to be happy and he’s got to be happy his body can sustain batting and bowling,” he added.

Pattinson also on track for return

Arthur also hinted the return of paceman James Pattinson, who played only two Tests against India before a foot strain forced him to sit out of the squad, on the later stages of tri-series. The 24-year-old bagged seven wickets during second Test against India the Melbourne and collected Man-of-the-Match Award.

“Pattinson bowled at us in Melbourne, so he’s coming back. We could see Pattinson at the back end of the one-day series,” said Arthur.

Saeed Ajmal says, no one can spot his mystery delivery

The 34-year-old was named Man-of-the-Series after he finished as series’ highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps.

Before the Test series Ajmal had promised to introduce a suspicious delivery, he prepared especially for England series. He might have fulfilled his vow but due to alikeness of action in his all variations, no one was able to identify that which “teesra” is?

“I used the “teesra” sparingly in the series and I don’t think anyone has been able to spot it as yet and that makes it more dangerous,” Ajmal said while speaking to “Ary News” on Tuesday.

Challenge for everyone to identify “teesra”: Ajmal

Pakistan will now play four one-dayers and three Twnety20 internationals against and Ajmal will continue to keep “teesra” in secrecy until the conclusion of series.

“I will reveal which is the “teesra” delivery after the series is over. Until then it remains a challenge for everyone to identify this ball in the coming one-dayers,” added Ajmal.

Ajmal lauds Misbah, Rehman

Ajmal declined to take the applause for humiliating the Word No.1 Test side and gave the credit of his success to skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and fellow-spinner Abdur Rehman, who claimed 18 wickets in the series.

“I credit my captain for the success myself or Abdur Rehman got in the series. He told us from the start that there would be spin pitches and he had confidence we could deliver,” Ajmal said.

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Barisal Burners Vs Sylhet Royals, 1st Match- 10 Feb 2012

Shahid Afridi returned to Pakistan squad for limited-over series against England

Azam, who played the last of his five one-dayers against Ireland in May last year, has been named in both the ODI and Twenty20 squads.

Hard-hitting opening batsman Awais Zia, who is yet to make his international debut, was included in the Twenty20 squad. The 25-year-old was the highest run-getter for Rawalpindi Rams in the Faisal Bank Twenty20 Tournament last year and was the fourth-highest run-getter in the domestic season.

Azhar found place in ODI squad

Middle-order batsman Azhar Ali has cropped the fruit of his promising batting in Pakistan’s Test series whitewash against England as he has been named in the 16-member one-day squad.

26-year-old Azhar, assumed as a longer-version specialist, made his limited-over debut against Ireland last year but he retrieved the faith of selectors by slamming career best 157 which played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 71-run victory in the third Test on Monday.

The first two one-dayers are scheduled in Dubai on February 13 and February 15, while the next two will be played in Abu Dhabi on February 18 and February 21.

The teams will return to Dubai for the first two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on February 23 and February 25 respectively before concluding the series with third Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi.

One-Day squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Azhar Ali.

Twenty20 squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Awais Zia, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam.

Ian Bell dropped from England’s limited-over squad

The two uncapped players featured in the one-day squad are Danny Briggs and Jos Buttler while Alex Hales has been picked for the T20 team.

Paceman Tim Bresnan, who rejoined England squad after missing the test series due to elbow injury, has been named in both squads but will have to pass the fitness test in order to confirm his place in the playing XI.

England, who were whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series, will face Lions on Friday in Abu Dhabi, in preparation for the four-match one-day series against Pakistan.

The first two one-dayers are scheduled in Dubai on February 13 and February 15, while the next two will be played in Abu Dhabi on February 18 and February 21.

The teams will return to Dubai for the first two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on February 23 and February 25 respectively before concluding the series with third Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi.

One-Day Squad:

Alastair Cook (Captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott

Twenty20 Squad:

Stuart Broad (Captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann

Andrew Strauss says, Whitewash at the hands of Pakistan is a good eye-opener for England

Pakistan crushed England by 71 runs in the third and final Test in Dubai on Monday to record their first-ever whitewash against England. They won the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi and England were unable to take the game into the fifth day.

“We are disappointed that we have not coped better to the challenges that came our way,” Strauss said. “This is a good eye-opener for us and good wake-up call that things are not easy in this part of the world.”

We need to break the tradition: Strauss

Barring a 2-0 series victory in Bangladesh in 2010, England are unable to win a Test series in sub-continent in a decade mainly due to their batsmen’s inability to cope with the slow pitches and they need to improve before its trip to Sri Lanka next month and its tour of India later this year.

“English sides generally have not played well in these sort of conditions in the past,” Strauss said. “We need to break that tradition and we are not going to do that by doing the same things.”

Pakistan bowlers are quite unique: Strauss

England batsmen toppled like nine pins against Pakistan’s spin duo Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in the series, who shared 43 scalps and are regarded as one of the most deadly spin pair.

“Pakistan bowlers are quite unique,” said Strauss. “They are different type of spinners. They made life difficult for us and when we did get in front of them in the tests, they were able to wrest the initiative back in their favor.”

Strauss will not feature England in the four-match one-day International and three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan as he has said adieu to limited-over cricket.

Misbah-ul-Haq says, Pakistan is a power and should be ignored no more

Pakistan, who won the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi, crushed England by 71 runs in the third and final Test in Dubai on Monday, the hand them their first whitewash since 2007.

“We showed the world again that we are a power in the cricketing world,” said Misbah. “Now, it’s time to give importance to the Pakistan team again.”

Everybody has to look out for Pakistan cricket: Misbah

Misbah said Pakistan had appeared from various problems looming over the team, most significantly the spot-fixing scandal during the England in 2010, when three players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were found guilty of accepting corrupt payments for bowling deliberate no-balls. Trio were banned for lengthy periods and then jailed.

“That was a big ask for a team, you can say we just came out of such problems and I think the way the team came out and the way the team is progressing, it’s a wonderful thing,” said Misbah, who led Pakistan to seven Test series victories since taking over leadership in 2010.

“Everybody has to look out for Pakistan cricket because everybody was just ignoring our cricket, our team and lot of things were said about the team. Our performance should be recognised and Pakistan cricket should be recognized.

“We didn’t get the edge in international fixtures and now we must be given an edge in the international scheduling,” said Misbah.

Misbah demanded revival of international cricket in Pakistan

Misbah also demanded the resurgence of international cricket in Pakistan, which implicitly became a no-go zone for international teams after the militants attacked the Sri Lankan team 2009 in March in Lahore in which eight people were killed and seven visiting players wounded along with their assistant coach. Since then, Pakistan are forced to stage their series in gulf region.

“You can’t keep away a nation from international cricket after this performance. The whole world, the ICC, the playing nations should think about it and revive our international cricket.

“How long we can play like this? We go home for four days and then we play our home series outside (the country).

“It’s almost one year now that I haven’t stayed at home for not more than a month, it’s a difficult thing for cricketers.”

Misbah also said nobody was anticipating the 3-0 win. Pakistan were skittled out for 99 in their first innings and have became the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since 1907.

“We were expecting that England would have problems here because of the slowness of the wickets. Our bowlers really bowled well on these wickets, but we were not expecting these sort of results to come,” he said.